Erectile Dysfunction (Weak Erection)
Erectile dysfunction (ED), often called weak erection, is difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. Most men have an occasional bad night; ED is when it keeps happening. It becomes more common with age and is closely linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and heart disease, because erections depend on healthy blood vessels. Stress, anxiety and relationship problems play a part too. It is a medical problem, not a failure of manhood, and it is usually treatable.
Find a Urology SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Trouble getting an erection
- Erections that do not stay firm long enough for sex
- Reduced interest in sex
- Morning erections that have become rare
- Symptoms that have built up gradually over months
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if erection problems have lasted more than a few weeks or are affecting your relationship. Because ED can be the first sign of diabetes, high blood pressure or narrowed arteries, checking blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol is part of treating it. Go to an emergency department if an erection lasts more than four hours. Do not buy 'power' tablets or herbal mixtures from roadside sellers: many contain undeclared drugs at unknown doses.
Treatment options
- Checks for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and testosterone
- Lifestyle changes: stopping smoking, less alcohol, exercise and weight loss
- Prescribed tablets such as sildenafil or tadalafil, after a check that they are safe for you
- Treating stress, anxiety or depression, alone or with a partner
- Testosterone treatment when levels are confirmed low
- Injections, vacuum devices or a penile implant when tablets do not work
Common Questions
Is it safe to buy sildenafil without seeing a doctor?
It is not wise. Sildenafil and similar medicines can drop blood pressure dangerously in men taking nitrate heart medicines, and some 'herbal' products sold in Nigeria contain hidden doses of these drugs. A short consultation confirms it is safe for you and looks for the cause.
Is erectile dysfunction a sign of heart disease?
It can be. The arteries of the penis are narrow, so they often show damage before the heart arteries do. A man with new ED, especially over 40, should have his heart risk checked.
Can ED be cured?
When there is a cause that can be reversed, such as a medicine, low testosterone, poorly controlled diabetes or anxiety, treating it can restore erections. Where the cause is long-standing blood vessel damage, treatment controls the problem very effectively even if it does not remove it.
Can I discuss this with a doctor privately?
Yes. A consultation is confidential, whether by video or in a clinic, and urologists see men with this problem every week.
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